Backside Line
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a unbelievable crossover-style tent that hits all the suitable notes. It’s completely sized—neither too massive nor too small—providing a well-recognized but refreshing design that we will’t get sufficient of. However it doesn’t cease there. The all-mesh sidewalls and the good, thoughtfully designed fly make it a perfect selection for decent summer season nights underneath the celebs.
It’s one of many smaller tents we examined, so it is probably not for everybody. Nevertheless, when you’re in search of a flexible tent manufactured from high-quality supplies that may be pitched in minutes, and comes with an included footprint—all at a really affordable value—then maintain studying as a result of the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 may simply turn out to be your new favourite tenting tent.
We hit the highway for six weeks to place this tent to the last word check, crossing six states and tenting in each front-country and backcountry situations. We scrutinized each element of the Mineral King to make sure it actually lives as much as the hype.
Fast Specs
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3
Excessive-High quality & Sturdy Tenting Tent for Two
Rating:
79.8/100
Value:
$375
The dimensions we examined feels:
Luxurious for 1, comfy for two & tight for 3
Weight:
7 lb. 1.2 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 68 x 48 in.
Professionals
- Light-weight
- Simple and intuitive to pitch
- Large doorways with out-of-the-way stuff pocket
- Pre-bent poles create loads of inside room
- Twin zippers on fly with kickstand for air flow
- Fly rolls up midway
- Loads of pockets
- Packs small
Cons
- Decrease peak top
- All-mesh higher limits privateness with out fly
- Heavy for its dimension
Consolation
The Mineral King 3 is just not designed for standing room, so most adults gained’t have the ability to stand upright contained in the tent. Whereas this can be a disadvantage for these searching for a tent with a tall peak top, it’s essential to acknowledge that this tent prioritizes portability and ease of setup over vertical area. Households or campers who prioritize spacious interiors the place they’ll comfortably stand and transfer round may must discover different choices.
Nevertheless, for many who worth a extra compact, versatile tent that balances consolation with a smaller footprint, the Mineral King 3 might nonetheless be an ideal selection. The Mineral King is comfy for 2 adults and a canine however can really feel a bit cramped with three adults.
Sturdiness
Mountain Hardwear has been producing top-quality gear for a very long time, and the Mineral King follows that custom, although it targets a barely totally different demographic than different tents in our lineup. Making a tent lighter and extra packable doesn’t imply it’s decrease high quality—usually, it’s the other. The tent physique, flooring, and rainfly supplies have held up nicely, even in less-than-ideal climate. The DAC Pressfit poles assemble simply and really feel as sturdy, if no more so, than these of its rivals. The Mineral King 3 has the vibe of a backpacking tent, with premium supplies that guarantee it’ll final for a lot of seasons.
Climate Resistance
In comparison with most of the different tents we examined on this class, the Mineral King stands out for its capacity to deal with excessive winds. Its low-profile design and form assist it shed wind successfully, making it appropriate for extra uncovered areas.
Amongst all of the tents we examined this season, the Mineral King 3 encountered probably the most excessive climate. We did discover that the rainfly can sag a bit if not totally guyed out. Sadly, the tent doesn’t include sufficient stakes to safe the fly utterly, which is essential to forestall the moist fly from touching the mesh interior tent. Whereas we didn’t expertise any leakage, it’s value noting that contact between the fly and the interior tent can enable water to pool and probably seep via.
The Mineral King is a superb selection for decent days as a result of it ventilates nicely, even with the fly on. With out the fly, the tent physique is nearly solely mesh, permitting scorching air to flee simply.
Ease of Setup
Out of all of the tents we examined, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 stood out for its distinctive ease of setup. A single individual can pitch this tent in simply minutes, due to its intuitive design. The tent options simply two pre-bent poles and one cross-section pole that come collectively effortlessly, eliminating the necessity for cumbersome pole sleeves.
The light-weight supplies additional simplify the method, as you don’t need to deal with a heavy tent when elevating it from the bottom. This streamlined meeting makes the Mineral King 3 a superb selection for campers who worth each effectivity and ease of their setup and tear-down routine.
Options
One of many causes we’re so impressed with the Mineral King 3 is the variety of options packed into such a small tent. It’s the one tent in our lineup that features a footprint, which can not appear to be a giant deal to some, however a footprint is a necessary a part of any tent setup. We’re thrilled to not need to buy it individually.
The Mineral King 3 is without doubt one of the extra compact tents we examined, with a decrease peak top. Whereas this may increasingly not go well with all campers, Mountain Hardwear has made an effort to maximise consolation with two exceptionally giant doorways and a pre-bent pole design. The massive doorways make it straightforward to enter, exit, and transfer gear, whereas the pre-bent poles assist optimize inside area. Although most adults gained’t have the ability to get up totally inside, altering garments isn’t too troublesome, even close to the sidewalls.
The tent’s air flow is great, due to the 2 kickstand vents and twin zippers on the rainfly. This method helps keep a snug local weather contained in the tent, making it simpler to sleep nicely in any climate.
One of the vital distinctive options of the Mineral King is the rainfly, which could be partially rolled up towards the highest of the tent. This lets you benefit from the stars whereas nonetheless having a part of the tent protected. The rainfly can rapidly be rolled down in case of unhealthy climate, providing each comfort and peace of thoughts.
Ought to You Purchase the Moutain Hardwear Mineral King 3?
The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is a superb selection for {couples} or small households searching for a smaller front-country tent that may double as a backpacking tent in a pinch. With its comparatively light-weight and easy design, this tent shines as a flexible crossover choice.
The Mineral King 3 is good for 2 adults and one little one, however past that, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate different choices. Moreover, when you’re solely tenting in front-country campgrounds the place area isn’t a difficulty, you may desire a tent with a bigger footprint and better peak top for added consolation.
What Different Tenting Tents Ought to You Contemplate?
REI Half Dome 3+ Overview: The Half Dome 3+ is lighter, bigger, and just a few {dollars} extra. It’s a more sensible choice when you plan to do extra backpacking, however the Mineral King 3 affords superior options and higher sturdiness towards the weather.
Marmot Tungsten 4: The Tungsten 4 can also be bigger than the Mineral King and simply barely dearer, however as a real four-person tent, it’s heftier. The principle variations come right down to how a lot room you want and whether or not you like premium supplies and an included footprint.
